Wow…what a game! LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers did exactly what they needed to do in order to win the NBA Eastern Conference Championship. Behind LeBron’s 48 points, the Cavs went into the Palace in Auburn Hills near Detroit on Thursday night and stole a game. With the double-overtime 109-107 win, the Cavs pulled a double-steal by swiping home court advantage from the Pistons. While the series is not over and the Pistons can be a formidable opponent, the Cavaliers’ chances of advancing to the NBA Championship Series became much better with the teams traveling back to Cleveland for Game-Six on Saturday. Oddsmakers at Bodog.com have not decided a favorite installing the Game-Six line as a PICK with a 173 total. By game time the line will probably move in the Cavaliers direction by one or two points. Game-Six will tip-off at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on TNT.
Lebron James’ performance Thursday night was legendary. There is no other way to say it: Lebron James turned in one of the greatest playoff performances in NBA history in Game-Five at the Palace, scoring 29 of Cleveland’s last 30 points.
"The simple fact that we won the ballgame means more than anything besides my performance," said James. "If I did everything I did tonight and we lost, it means nothing. So the win is the most important thing for us, and we are one more win from getting to our goal."
The Cavaliers are now within a single victory of reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, thanks to a game that James would not let his team lose. The Pistons will try to stave off elimination when they roll into Quest Arena for Game-Six.
"I don't think he was trying to set any historical mark or anything like that, he just did what he felt he was supposed to do to help us win," said Coach Mike Brown. "That was a heck of a game for him, but for him to score 29 of 30; that completely blew my mind. I don't know what he can’t do."
